DDialogue: A Collaborative Framework for Cross-Sectoral Dialogue through Data

In tackling complex societal issues, cross-sector collaboration within interdisciplinary teams can leverage the diverse expertise of individuals from various organizations. Concurrently, data-driven methods are increasingly central to effective decision-making. However, there is a notable gap in research at the intersection of cross-boundary collaboration and participatory data analysis. To address this, we propose DDialogue, a conceptual framework designed to facilitate collaborative data analysis within cross-sector partnerships, while simultaneously enhancing data literacy skills among stakeholders. The DDialogue framework is instantiated as a workshop composed of nine sessions, each with a specific purpose, leading to the co-creation of outputs aimed at tackling complex issues. The framework was tested through a pilot workshop and a fully implemented workshop addressing the problem of juvenile delinquency in Turin, Italy. These activities yielded formative evidence suggesting that DDialogue can be a useful tool for researchers or practitioners who seek to engage diverse stakeholders from different sectors and with varying levels of data literacy in data-driven projects. Participant feedback highlighted the framework’s adaptability and its potential to support data-informed collaboration.